On the Qadr of Allah...

Bismillah-hir-Rahman-nir-Raheem.

In The Name of Allah, The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful.

Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmathullahi wa Barakaathuhu.

May The Peace, Mercy, and Blessings of Allah be upon you.

Of late, I see many come upon my blog by googling for the explanation on the hadeeth that you see as my blog header. And so, I thought why not make a post on it..well..I did try searching for the detailed explanation, but couldnt find one solely on it. The following - an explanation on the Qard (Decree) of Allah - has been taken from the Islam Q&A website.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What things affect Qadr (what has already been written for us)?

Praise be to Allaah.

Nothing exists except by the will and decree of Allaah, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al Lawh Al Mahfooz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah”

[al-Hadeed 57:22]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” Narrated and classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi (2516), from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas.

Al-Mubaarakfoori said:

“The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried” means, What has been decreed has been written in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Book of Decrees), and nothing else will be written after that is finished.

Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, 7/186

The writing is of two types: one kind which cannot be altered or changed, which is what is in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz, and a type which may be altered or changed, which is in the hands of the angels. And the ultimate outcome is what is written in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz. This is one of the meanings of the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book (Al Lawh Al Mahfooz)”

[al-Ra’d 13:39]

Hence we can understand what was narrated in the Sunnah, that upholding family ties increases one’s lifespan or increases one’s provision; or that du’aa’ can alter the divine decree. For Allaah knows whether His slave will uphold the ties of kinship or make du’aa’, so He writes in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz that this person will have more provision or a longer life span.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah was asked:

Can provision increase or decrease? Is provision what a person eats or possesses?

He replied:

Provision is of two types:

1 – That which Allaah knows He will provide, which cannot be changed.

2 – That which He has prescribed and told to the angels. This may increase or decrease depending on causes. If Allaah commands the angels to write provision for a person if he upholds the ties of kinship, Allaah will increase his provision because of that. It was proven in al-Saheeh that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his life span to be extended, let him uphold the ties of kinship.” Similarly the life span of Dawood was extended by sixty years and Allaah made it one hundred years, after it was originally forty. This is as ‘Umar said: “O Allaah, if you have decreed that I am to be doomed, then erase that and make me one of those who are to be blessed, because You blot out whatever You will and confirm whatever You will.” Similarly Allaah said of Nooh (interpretation of the meaning):

“That you should worship Allaah (Alone), fear (be dutiful to) Him, and obey me,

He (Allaah) will forgive you of your sins and respite you to an appointed term”

[Nooh 71:3-4]

And there is a great deal of corroborating evidence. The means of acquiring provision comes under the heading of that which Allaah has decreed. If it has been decreed that a person will earn his provision by means of his work and efforts, then Allaah will cause him to work and strive, and that which is decreed for him by means of his work will not come to him without him working to earn it. And what has been decreed for him without his having to earn it, such as an inheritance, will come to him without him working for it.

Work or striving is of two types: striving in work for the sake of earning a living, such as industry, farming and business; and striving in du’a’, putting one's trust in Allaah, treating others kindly, and so on. Allaah will help His slave so long as His slave helps his brother.

Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 8/540, 541 .

Punishments for not paying Zakat!

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.' " Then the Prophet recited the holy verses:-- 'Let not those who withhold . . .' (to the end of the verse). (3.180).
Sahih Bukhari - (Book #24, Hadith #486)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Anyone whom Allah has given wealth but he does not pay its Zakat, then, on the Day of Resurrection, his wealth will be presented to him in the shape of a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two poisonous glands in its mouth and it will encircle itself round his neck and bite him over his cheeks and say, "I am your wealth; I am your treasure." Then the Prophet recited this Divine Verse:-- "And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah has bestowed upon them of His Bounty." (3.180)
Sahih Bukhari - (Book #60, Hadith #88)

Narrated Abu Dhar: Once I went to him (the Prophet ) and he said, "By Allah in Whose Hands my life is (or probably said, 'By Allah, except Whom none has the right to be worshipped) whoever had camels or cows or sheep and did not pay their Zakat, those animals will be brought on the Day of Resurrection far bigger and fatter than before and they will tread him under their hooves, and will butt him with their horns, and (those animals will come in circle): When the last does its turn, the first will start again, and this punishment will go on till Allah has finished the judgments amongst the people."
Sahih Bukhari - (Book #24, Hadith #539)

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (way peace be upon him) as saying: If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on him, when the Day of Resurrection would come, plates of fire would be beaten out for him; these would then be heated in the fire of Hell and his sides, his forehead and his back would be cauterized with them. Whenever these cool down, (the process is) repeated during a day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among servants, and he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell. It was said: Messenger of Allah, what about the camel? He (the Holy Prophet) said: If any owner of the camel does not pay what is due on him, and of his due in that (camel) is (also) to milk it on the day when it comes down to water. When the Day of Resurrection comes a soft sandy plain would be set for him, as extensive as possible, (he will find) that not a single young one is missing, and they will trample him with their hoofs and bite him with their mouths. As often as the first of them passes him, the last of them would be made to return during a day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among servants and he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell. It was (again) said: Messenger of Allah, what about cows (cattle) and sheep? He said: It any owner of the cattle and sheep does not pay what is due on them, when the Day of Resurrection comes a soft sandy plain would be spread for them, he will find none of them missing, with twisted horns, without horns or with a broken horn, and they will gore him with their horns and trample him with their hoofs. As often as the first of them passes him the last of them would be made to return to him during a day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years, until judgment would be pronounced among the servants. And he would be shown his path-path leading him to Paradise or to Hell. It was said: Messenger of Allah, what about the horse? Upon this he said: The horses are of three types. To one than (these are) a burden, and to another man (these are) a covering, and still to another man (these are) a source of reward. The one for whom these are a burden is the person who rears them in order to show off, for vainglory and for opposing the Muslims; so they are a burden for him. The one for whom these are a covering is the person who rears them for the sake of Allah but does not forget the right of Allah concerning their backs and their necks, and so they are a covering for him. As for those which bring reward (these refer to) the person who rears them for the sake of Allah to be used for Muslims and he puts them in meadow and field. And whatever thing do these eat from that meadow and field would be recorded on his behalf as good deeds, as would also the amount of their dung and urine. And these would not break their halter and prance a course or two without having got recorded the amount of their hoof marks and their dung as a good deed on his behalf (on behalf of their owner). And their master does not bring them past a river from which they drink, though he did not intend to quench their thirst, but Allah would record for him the amount of what they drink on his behalf as deeds. It was said: Messenger of Allah, what about the asses?, Upon this he said: Nothing has been revealed to me in regard to the asses (in particular) except this one verse of a comprehensive nature:" He who does an atom's weight of good will see it, and he who does an atom's weight of evil will see it" (xcix. 7)
Sahih Muslim - (Book #005, Hadith #2161)

Sunnahs and Etiquettes of Eid

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate
"May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You"

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.


Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Sunnahs and Etiquettes of Eid


The Sunnahs that the Muslim should observe on the day of Eid are as follows:

1 – Doing ghusl before going out to the prayer.


It was narrated in a saheeh hadeeth in al-Muwatta and elsewhere that Abd-Allaah ibn Umar used to do ghusl on the day of al-Fitr before going out to the prayer-place in the morning. Al-Muwatta 428.

Al- Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said that the Muslims were unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to do ghusl for Eid prayer.


The reason why it is mustahabb is the same reason as that for doing ghusl before Jumuah and other public gatherings. Rather on Eid the reason is even stronger.

2 – Eating before going out to pray on Eid al-Fitr and after the prayer on Eid al-Adha:

Part of the etiquette is not to go out to pray on Eid al-Fitr until one has eaten some dates, because of the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik, who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used not to go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number. Al-Bukhaari, 953.


It is mustahabb to eat before going out to emphasize the fact that it is forbidden to fast on that day and to demonstrate that the fast has ended.


Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) suggested that the reason for that was so as to ward off the possibility of adding to the fast, and to hasten to obey the command of Allaah.

Whoever does not have any dates may break his fast with anything that is permissible.


But on Eid al-Adha it is mustahabb not to eat anything until one comes back from the prayer, so he should eat from the udhiyah if he has offered a sacrifice. If he is not going to offer a sacrifice there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.

3 – Takbeer on the day of Eid


This is one of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):


"(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him"

[al-Baqarah 2:185]


It was narrated that al-Waleed ibn Muslim said: I asked al-Awzaai and Maalik ibn Anas about saying Takbeer out loud on the two Eids. They said, Yes, Abd-Allaah ibn Umar used to say it out loud on the day of al-Fitr until the imam came out (to lead the prayers).


Al-Daaraqutni and others narrated that on the morning of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Ibn Umar would strive hard in reciting takbeer until he came to the prayer place, then he would recite takbeer until the imam came out.


Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated with a saheeh isnaad that al-Zuhri said: The people used to recite Takbeer on Eid when they came out of their houses until they came to the prayer place, and until the imam came out. When the imam came out they fell silent, and when he said takbeer they said takbeer. See Irwa' al-Ghaleel, 1/121


Saying takbeer when coming out of ones house to the prayer place and until the imam came out was something that was well known among the salaf (early generations) . This has been narrated by a number of scholars such as Ibn Abi Shaybah, `Abd a l-Razzaaq and al-Firyaabi in Ahkaam al-Eidayn from a group of the salaf. For example, Naafi' ibn Jubayr used to recite takbeer and was astonished that the people did not do so, and he said, "Why do you not recite takbeer?"


Ibn Shihaab al-Zuhri (may Allaah have mercy on him) used to say, "The people used to recite takbeer from the time they came out of their houses until the imam came in."

The time for takbeer on Eid al-Fitr starts from the night before Eid until the imam enters to lead the Eid prayer.

In the case of Eid al-Adha, the takbeer begins on the first day of Dhul-Hijjah and lasts until sunset on the last of the days of tashreeq.


Description of the takbeer:

It was narrated in the Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah with a saheeh isnaad from Ibn Masood (may Allaah be pleased with him) that he used to recite takbeer during the days of tashreeq:


Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,

laa ilaaha ill-Allaah,

wa Allaahu akbar,

Allaah akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd

(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is most Great, there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most great, Allaah is most great, and to Allaah be praise).


It was also narrated elsewhere by Ibn Abi Shaybah with the same isnaad, but with the phrase "Allaahu akbar" repeated three times.

Al-Mahaamili narrated with a saheeh isnaad also from Ibn Masood: "Allaahu akbaru kabeera, Allaahu akbaru kabeera, Allaahu akbar wa ajallu, Allaahu akbar wa Lillaah il-hamd

(Allaah is Most Great indeed, Allaah is Most Great indeed, Allaah is most Great and Glorified, Allaah is Most Great and to Allaah be praise)." See al-Irwa', 3/126.


4 – Offering congratulations

The etiquette of Eid also includes the congratulations and good wishes exchanged by people, no matter what the wording, such as saying to one another

Taqabbala Allaah minna wa minkum

(May Allaah accept (good deeds) from us and from you" or " Eid mubaarak " and other permissible expressions of congratulations.


It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: When the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another, "May Allaah accept (good deeds) from us and from you." Ibn Hajar said, its isnaad is hasan. Al-Fath, 2/446.

Offering congratulations was something that was well known among the Sahaabah, and scholars such as Imam Ahmad and others allowed it. There is evidence which suggests that it is prescribed to offer congratulations and good wishes on special occasions, and that the Sahaabah congratulated one another when good things happened, such as when Allaah accepted the repentance of a man, they went and congratulated him for that, and so on.


Undoubtedly these congratulations are among the noble characteristics among the Muslims.


The least that may be said concerning the subject of congratulations is that you should return the greetings of those who congratulate you on Eid, and keep quiet if others keep quiet, as Imam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If anyone congratulates you, then respond, otherwise do not initiate it.

5 – Adorning oneself on the occasion of Eid.

It was narrated that Abd-Allaah ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that Umar took a brocade cloak that was for sale in the market and brought it to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and said, "O Messenger of Allaah, buy this and adorn yourself with it for Eid and for receiving the delegations.

" The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him, "Rather this is the dress of one who has no share (of piety or of reward in the Hereafter)…" Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 948.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) agreed with `Umar on the idea of adorning oneself for Eid, but he denounced him for choosing this cloak because it was made of silk.


It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and on Fridays. Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756,


Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a saheeh isnaad that Ibn Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid.


So a man should wear the best clothes that he has when going out for Eid.

With regard to women, they should avoid adorning themselves when they go out for Eid, because they are forbidden to show off their adornments to non-mahram men. It is also haraam for a woman who wants to go out to put on perfume or to expose men to temptation, because they are only going out for the purpose of worship.


6 – Going to the prayer by one route and returning by another.

It was narrated that Jaabir ibn Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: On the day of Eid, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to vary his route . Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 986.

It was said that the reason for that was so that the two routes would testify for him on the Day of Resurrection, for the earth will speak on the Day of Resurrection and say what was done on it, both good and bad.

source-islam- qa.com

And Allaah knows best.

8 Basic Errors Muslims make when Paying Zakat Al-Fitr

8 Basic Errors Muslims make when Paying Zakat Al-Fitr

By Muhammad Alshareef, compliments of www.HeartWheelJourn al.com

I feel compelled to put this together because I've seen the following errors being committed even since I was a young boy. In sha Allah, you can help me spread the word by sharing this article with your community, friends and family.

What is Zakat ul-Fitr? Think "Iftar", Zakat Ul-Fitr is the charity that we pay at the end of Ramadan. Here is the foundational hadith that establishes the obligation of Zakat ul-Fitr: Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) , made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` (a measurement: four double handfuls) of dried dates or one Saa` of barely. [Sahih Bukhari - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]

But unfortunately, our community makes some basic errors in the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr that must be clarified.

Error One: Paying at Eid Salah

Some people go to Eid prayers and drop money into the donation box thinking that they have paid their Zakat ul-Fitr. No, Zakat al-Fitr, which is food, must be in the hands of the needy family BEFORE Eid prayer. If someone goes to Eid prayer and pays then it is GUARANTEED that the money will NOT arrive on time. And thus the person paying is sinful for having missed the payment of Zakat al-Fitr. May Allah forgive us.


Error Two: Snail mailing the money overseas Basic principle as before

The Zakat al-Fitr, food, MUST be in the hands of the needy BEFORE Eid prayer. One cannot mail the money overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the needy after Eid prayer is over. However, if one is able to get the Zakah al-Fitr to the needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is conducted in their locality, then in sha Allah it's alright.


Error Three: Not paying

Yes, as simple as this error is, it is HARAM to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr. EVERYONE must pay Zakat Al-Fitr, every member of the household. So if you have 8 people in your house, Zakat Al-Fitr must be paid x 8, even if the youngest member is just a few days old.


Error Four: Confusing Zakat ul-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal

We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here (think "Iftar", i.e. Ramadan). Zakat Al-Maal (Maal literally means wealth), is the Zakah due on ones money – and that could be due any time during the year depending on when it was due.


Error Five: Giving money instead of food

Although some scholars have allowed giving money instead of food, the spirit of Zakat Al-Fitr is to give food to the needy of the community, NOT money. (One can give money to the local masjid in charge and they can give food with that money inshallah). The Companion of the Prophet, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree, radi Allahu 'anhu , said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese". [Bukhari - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]


Error Six: Giving one's Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project

Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr to a charitable building project: like the building of a Masjid, or Islamic school. There is a difference of opinion on this issue, but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah Al-Fitr is that the needy should have plentiful food on Eid. All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned in the Quran are HUMANS, not "building projects".


Error Seven: Giving Zakat ul-Fitr to non-Muslims

Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims. However, Zakah al-Fitr charity is something exclusive to the MUSLIM poor and needy. Hence, one could not give Zakah Al-Fitr to any needy person on the street. "Regular" charity can be given to them, but not Zakah Al-Fitr.


Error Eight: Delaying distribution

Sometimes Masjids might collect Zakah Al-Fitr money and then put it in a bank. It doesn't reach the needy for months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr immediately when it is due.

These are my eight. You are welcome to share other common errors on my blog. www.DiscoverULife. com/Blog . Insha'Allah, if you have Zakah questions, I encourage you to seek counsel from your local sources of knowledge. People you can speak to directly. With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!

Maximize the last 10 days of Ramadan

*Maximize the last 10 days of Ramadan*
9/10/2009 - Religious - Article Ref: IC0610-3135
By: Abdul Malik Mujahid
IslamiCity

Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Quran as, "better than a thousand months" (97:3). Any action done on this night such as reciting the Quran, remembering Allah, etc. is better than acting for one thousand months which do not contain the night of Qadr.

Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim). Allah's peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet.

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, related that the Prophet said: Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).

The Prophet said: "Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim recorded from Abu Huraira).

Here are some tips of things we can do on the Night of Power and the time before and after it.

*1. Take a vacation for Allah.

*We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator. If this is not possible at least take a few days off if you can. This can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah, not having to worry about getting to work the next day. It will also facilitate doing Itikaf.

*2. Do I'tikaf.

*It was a practice of the Prophet to spend the last ten days and nights of Ramadan in the masjid for I'tikaf. Those in I'tikaf stay in the masjid all this time, performing various forms of zikr (the remembrance of Allah), like doing extra Salat, recitation and study of the Quran. They do not go outside the masjid except in case of emergencies, therefore, they sleep in the masjid. Their families or the masjid administration takes care of their food needs. I'tikaf of a shorter period of time, like one night, a day or a couple of days is encouraged as well.

*3. Make this special Dua.

*Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' "(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).

The transliteration of this Dua is "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee"

*4. Recite the Quran.

*Perhaps you can choose Surahs or passages from the Quran, which you have heard in Tarawih this past Ramadan to recite. If you attend a class where the recitation of the Quran is taught, this is a great time to put your knowledge into practice.

*5. Reflect on the meaning of the Quran.

*Choose the latest Surah or Surahs you've heard in Tarawih and read their translation and Tafseer. Then think deeply about their meaning and how it affects you on a personal level.

*6. Get your sins wiped out.

*Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger said: Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven. [Bukhari and Muslim).

Don't just pray using the shorter Surahs that you know. Try to make your prayers longer, deeper and meaningful. If you are familiar with longer Surahs, read the translation and explanation and then pray reciting these Surahs, carefully reflecting on the meaning while you pray. Even if you are only familiar with the shorter Surahs, read the translation and explanation beforehand, and then pray reflecting on the message of the Surahs. This is a good way to develop the habit of concentration, even in regular prayers, where many of us tend to be fidgety and/or easily distracted.

*7. Make a personal Dua list.

*Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready, you can do three things:

- Ask Allah to give you those things
- Think about what actions you have taken to get those things
- Develop a work plan to get those things in future.

*8. Evaluate yourself.

*Ask yourself those questions that need to be asked. Do an evaluation of where you are and where you are going. Let this evaluation lead you to feel happiness for the good you have done and remorse for the bad you have done. This latter feeling should make it easier to seek Allah's sincere forgiveness when making the Dua mentioned in tip number one above.

*9. Make long, sincere and deep Duas

*One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night. Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Bukhari, Muslim).

That means for instance, waking up one hour before Suhoor time to ask Allah for anything and everything you want that is Halal. This can be done using the Duas of the Sunnah, but also Dua in your own language, with sincerity and conviction.

*10. Memorize a different Dua every night

*They don't have to be long. They can be just one line. And be sure to know what they mean generally at least, even if you don't know the exact translation in English. You can put them on index cards (or and keep them with you during the day, glancing at them during work, while driving, waiting in line, etc.) Then practice them at night in prayer.

*11. Have Iftar with the family

*If you've spent Iftar time on weekdays in your cubicle at work alone with a couple of dates, now is the last few days you'll have this Ramadan to spend with your family. Use it wisely.

*12. Take the family to Tarawih

*Have your spouse and kids missed Tarawih most of Ramadan because you weren't there to drive them to the Masjid, which is too far away to walk to? If so, do all of yourselves a favour and bring everyone for Tarawih in these last ten nights.

*13. Attend the Dua after the completion of Quran recitation

*Almost all Masjids where the Imam aims to finish an entire reading of the Quran in Tarawih prayers in Ramadan will be completing their recitation in these last ten nights. They may try to end on one of the odd nights and read the Dua at the end of a reading of the Quran. Attend this particular night's Tarawih prayer with your family. See if you can attend different Masjids'
Tarawih prayers the night they finish reading the Quran.

*14. Finish reading a book on the Prophet

*Read about the Prophet's life, which can increase your love for him and Islam by seeing how much he struggled for Allah's sake. It may inspire you to push yourself even harder during these last ten nights. This community is built on sacrifice.

*15. Plan for the next year

*Once you've done a self-evaluation, you can plan on where you want to go, at least in the next 12 months. Laylatul Qadr is a great night to be thinking about this (without taking away from your worship), since you'll Insha Allah, be in a more contemplative state. You may choose to dedicate one night of power for evaluation and one night for planning for the next
year.

*16. To do list for the Night of Power

*Make a to do checklist for each Night of Power. This should define how you would like your night, the one better than a thousand months, to be used. Pick things from this list and define the sequence you would like to do things in. This will help you avoid wasting your time in unproductive chats which common in the festive atmosphere of Masjids at the Night of Power.

*Abdul Malik Mujahid, is the President and Director of Sound Vision
Foundation Inc. He is an Imam in the Chicago area and the Chairperson of the
Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC).*

"Why I choose to be Undercover"

*Why I choose to be "Undercover*

/by *Bint Abdul Khaliq*/

"Excuse me, I'm just curious, why do you wear that?" I stopped in mid-turn and faced the lady at the cellphone counter at Woolworths. "THAT" of course referring to my Niqab. For a second I was caught off-guard. I have been asked this question many times before by non-muslims. "Its for protection.. ." I mananged to stumble out. Inwardly I gave myself a little shake-you can do better than that! That must have sounded so lame! So I used the example of a jewel and pointed out that something so valuable wouldn't be just left out for all to see,you would cover it up to protect it. She nodded her head as if she understood and I knew what was coming next.. "Do you have to wear it because you are married?" I told her no, I'm not married and both her eyebrows shot up. "So how are you going to get married??" If I had to compile a FAQ, this would be one of them. I explained it to her. "But you might be hiding a lot of beauty under there?" she quipped.

"But that's the point!" I told her. "I don't want to be judged by my LOOKS, I want to be judged by WHO I AM." When I left her she seemed to understand. At least I hope she did.

This incident once again reminded me how misunderstood Islam is, especially about why we Muslim females have to cover up. It is seen as a stigma of oppression. Forced on us by our oppressive husbands who wish to impede us from being liberated...

What IS the "liberation" of woman all about? We hear it all the time: Woman need to be "free". They need to release themselves from the cruelty of "oppression" . But what is the yardstick for deciding whether a female is oppressed or not? You cannot judge something if there is no standard to judge by. In today's western societies, this yardstick very much seems to be the length of a woman's skirt. The sister who is covered under the Burqa in Afghanistan in "oppressed", but the one who poses naked for millions to see is tasting the fruits of "liberation"? It makes me sick! If that is freedom, then it comes at a cost, and that cost is her Haya! Her Modesty.

Narrated Abu Huraira (R.A) The Prophet said, "Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches. And Haya is a part of faith"

Hazrat Abu Hurairah narrates that the Holy Prophet (SWAS) said, "Modesty is part of Imaan and Imaan is in paradise and obscenity is part of hard-heartiness is in hell." (Ahmad, Tirmizi )

"Verily! Allah is Hayaa (modest, bashful) & Sitteer (i.e. the One Who Shields - from disobedient acts). He loves Hayaa (i.e. He loves for one to practice modesty and bashfulness) and Siter (shielding; covering)." [Collected by Abu Dawud; An-Nissa'ee; Al-Baihaqee; Ahmad; & in Saheeh
An-Nissa'ee]

Hazrat Ibn Mas'ood reports that the Holy Prophet said, "Verily, amongst the words people have obtained from the sayings of the past prophets is that when you are immodest (unashamed) then do whatever you desire." (Ibn Majah)

Women are sacred in Islam. The amount of respect that Islam accords to us females, would turn a woman of any other faith green with envy, if she only understood what respect meant.That leads us to the question: What is respect? To receive respect we have to respect ourselves.We have to value this body of ours that ALLAH has blessed us with.We have to realize that we aren't cheap playthings for any male to gaze at. We are worth much more than that.

I feel inferior when I am judged by my looks, the type of clothing that I wear, the amount of skin that I am showing off. Infact, I feel down right oppressed when judged by those standards! The woman who feels that to feel respected, she needs to live up to the disgusting standards of the west-is actually a slave. She has no freedom. She is trapped in this cruel prison of insecurities, of demoralization, of unsatisfaction. She loses her self respect by constantly putting herself down and comparing herself to others. And yet she tries, desperate to be noticed-to feel RESPECTED.

Let us use the illustration of a beautiful bird, which boasts exquisite feathers but it's internal organs are not in order, it would die. On the other hand, if it's inner body was perfect but externally it had no feathers or wings it would not survive either. Similarly, total spiritual perfection cannot be complete by just the inner or the outer purification alone. It goes hand in hand. It often happens that people think that their outer dress does not matter as long as "their heart is clean". On the other extreme, it means nothing if a sister is dressed in full hijaab and niqaab if she is not protecting herself from impure thoughts and her inner self is corrupted. Again, it works hand in hand.

I know that it is not easy, living in western societies.We are bombarded by immorality at every turn. Open any magazine or newspaper-You will have to see it. Driving home and if your gaze happens to fall on the billboards surrounding you-you will have see to it. Innocently checking your e- mail, you will have to see it. Immorality stares us in the face. Subconciously we are being programmed. We are being told the way to dress.We are being told what makes a successful, liberated woman: looks, make-up, perfect figures and skimpy clothing. And the markets are
BOOMING. We are falling into their traps, and some businessmen are out there rubbing their hands in glee!

Who are our role models? Hollywood and Bollywood stars? Supermodels? Kuffar who are paid millions to commit zina for all to see and enjoy. For that's what it boils down to. If their looks were taken away, if they weren't prepared to act so shamelessly, if their natural, God given modesty came between them and their careers-They would be sacked faster than you can say "Lights..camera. .action!" and the next money hungry, beautiful woman would not hesitate to grab the opportunity at any cost and would do anything to please. It's sad.

If I choose to cover myself, that does not make me weak. It strengthens my identity as a Muslim Woman and reminds me to be modest at all times. It protects me from many sins that otherwise I might have been tempted by shaaitaan to fall into. For example, I would not be seen dead near a Cinema or a nightclub or some other fitna-filled place while I am dressed in full Islamic attire. I don't have to be suffering everyday by painfully spending hours of preening before I feel I am of a socially acceptable appearance. I don't have to subject myself to undue stress since I have much more chance of escaping the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and the desires of the male population. Islam has given me rights and it has given me rules. If I abide by them, I am promised a content, happy life in this temporary world and I am promised the unimaginable, uncomparable pleasure of the everlasting Akhirah. I am happy to be seen as a Muslim Woman who chooses to veil herself by choice. I am not oppressed and I am not uneducated but I am respected. I have been given freedom by my creator ALLAH TA'ALA who knows what is best for me and what will harm me, after all-HE created me.

And that is why I choose to be "Undercover" .

Source

Ramadan Mubarak!

Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmathullahi wa Barakaathuhu!



I know I am a tad late on this...nevertheless, Ramadan Mubarak brothers and sisters! May Allah Shower His Blessings upon us, May He Accept our prayers, deeds, and intentions, May He Forgive us our sins, May He Grant us Jannathul Firdaws (the highest station in Paradise), and May He Save us from the torment of the Hell-Fire!

Aameen! Aameen! Aameen! Allahumma Aameen! Thumma Allahumma Aameen!

Well, the first day of Ramadan was awesome! It was more than expected...since Afraz is at mom's place (due to my corn surgery), I am able to attend Taraweeh at the masjid..Masha Allah wa Alhamdhulillah, I totally didn't expect to pray Taraweeh in congregation at all...Allahu Akbar!

Settled in by the second day, and Alhamdhulillah third day going on, and I have already finished 3 Juz' (chapters) of Qur'an...I am yet to read the second and third chapters in the translated version of the meanings in English...Insha Allah hoping to finish by tonight.

I am Insha Allah planning to perform as much 'Ibaadah (acts of worship) as I can before Afraz comes home..which is probably this Friday..

In the meantime, I am working on an article based on Polygyny for the Islamic e-Mag, al-Bayyinnah...have been working on it for the past couple of weeks...Insha Allah will post it as soon as I am done with it.

Currently, I am listening to this excellent lecture by Anwar al-Awlaki..SubhanAllah! (Glory be to The One God!), it truly is awakening!





May Allah Save us all from the Jahannam and Enter us to the Gardens of Jannah! Aameen! Allahumma Aameen!